Apparatus for pneumatically cleaning the work zone of centrosymmetrical textile machines



Oct. 27, 1970 o. H. KRAUSS 3,535,895 APPARATUS FOR PNEUMATICALLYCLEANING THE WORK 9 ZONE 0F CENTROSYMMETRICAL TEXTILE MACHINES FiledMarch 11, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 0& He'mmcla. Heads-s qmamvATTORNEY$ Oct. 27, 1970 O.H.KRAUSS 3,535,895

APPARATUS FOR PNEUMATICALLY CLEANING THE WORK ZONE 0F CENTROSYMMETRICALTEXTILE MACHINES Filed March 11, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 -55 Fig.2

ATTORNEYS Oct. 21, 1910 o. H. KRAUSS 3,535,895 APPARATUS FORPNEUMATICALLY CLEANING THE WORK ZONE 0F CENTROSYMMETRICAL TEXTILEMACHINES Filed March .11, 1968 3 SheetsSheet 3 Fig.

5 Fig. 5

40c INVENTOR I /grlvfiii A lm ss BY QL gfimuw ATTORNEY United StatesPatent O 3,535,895 APPARATUS FOR PNEUMATICALLY CLEANING THE WORK ZONE OFCEN'IROSYMMETRICAL TEXTILE MACHINES Otto Heinrich Krauss,Stuttgart-Munster, Germany, assignor to Lnwa AG, a corporation ofSwitzerland Filed Mar. 11, 1968, Ser. No. 712,145 Int. Cl. D04b 35/32U.S. Cl. 66-168 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A pneumatic cleaningapparatus for the working zone of textile machines, especially theneedle zone of a circular knitting machine having a housing surroundingsuch needle zone. This housing is provided with an annular suctionchannel which communicates with a source of negative pressure, andfurther incorporates an annular blower channel which communicates with asource of compressed air. The suction channel is provided with suctionopening means directed towards the working zone, and the blower channelis provided with inwardly directed blower nozzle means directed towardsthe machine components located in the working zone. The compressed airentering the working zone from the blower channel entrains any dust orother foreign material and such is removed from the working zone,without the possibility of again settling on the components in theworking zone, via the suction channel means.

11 Claims BACKGOUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to animproved apparatus for the pneumatic cleaning of the working zone ofcentrosymmetrical textile machines, especially the needle zone of acircular knitting machine.

An apparatus has already become known to the art for cleaning a circularknitting machine. This known apparatus is of the type in which theneedle cylinder is equipped with bores which, on the one hand,communicate with a source of compressed air and, on the other hand, openinto blower nozzles which are directed towards the work locations. Bymeans of these bores, the down or fluff adhering to the needles is blownaway and removed from the working area.

In so doing, however, this down or fluff has the tendency of depositingand collecting outside the work locations, so that it is necessary toperiodically stop the machine and to clean it. The cleaning operation,which is generally undertaken by blowing away the foreign material orcontaminants by means of a stream of compressed air, causes dust andfibers to be blown around, so that the workers are bothered and theneighboring machines are again contaminated by the settling of this dustand other foreign matter. Apart from the loss in production during theblowing operation, and which can not be overlooked, and further therequirement of an additional worker for undertaking the cleaningoperation, the main drawback of this cleaning technique resides in thefact that the fly and dust is only repositioned by the blowingoperation, however not removed.

Furthermore, it might be remarked that an apparatus is known in whichthe circular knitting machine is covered by a substantiallytruncated-shaped housing of transparent material from a location beneaththe needle cylinder up to a region above the yarn delivery mechanism.This truncated-shaped housing encircles this machine in this operatingzone substantially coaxially with respect to the vertical axis.Furthermore, this known apparatus utilizes the principle of disturbingor circulating the dust by means of a blower device at those locationswhere it tends to collect and then to remove such dust by means of asuc- 3,535,895 Patented Oct. 27, 1970 tion device. Accordingly, thisphysical construction of apparatus is equipped with two suction conduitsat diametrically opposed locations of this housing and wherein suchsuction conduits are connected to the surface or jacket of the housing.Additionally, two compressed air conduits communicate with an annular orring-shaped blower tube which is mounted internally of the housing andcoaxially with respect to the housing and the machine. This ring-shapedblower tube is provided with discharge openings Which are directedtowards the most prevalent dust collecting locations.

Now, such type blower air streams bring about, by virtue of theirinjection action, the placing into motion of an air volume which is amultiple of its own air volume. Hence, the dust which is placed intomotion or circulation is distributed throughout the entire internalcompartment of the housing, for the most part deposits upon the machinecomponents located in the housing, and specifically at those locationswhich are not subject to the action of the air flow. Accordingly, only asmall proportion of the dust and other foreign material arrives,according to the principle of diluting or thinning the dust, at thesuction conduits, which are relatively spaced quite a distance away, andis then removed. Because of these reasons it is not possible to keep theWorking machine components free of dust and fly or other contaminants,regardless of the intensity or strength of the blower air currents.Furthermore, the danger exists that with the under-pressure prevailingin the housing, additional contaminated air will be drawn from thesurroundings of the machine through the passage openings for the yarnand the textile hose.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a primary object of thepresent invention to provide an improved apparatus for cleaning textilemachines, in particular the needle zone of circular knitting machines,and which eflectively overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks of theprior art structures.

Another, more specific object of the present invention relates to animproved apparatus for pneumatically cleaning a centrosymmetricaltextile machine in a highly efficient and reliable manner, particularlyduring the operation of the textile machine, thereby overcoming thenecessity for down-time of the machine which otherwise might have beennecessary for carrying out the requisite cleaning operation.

Still a further significant object of the present invention relates toan improved pneumatic cleaning system for textile machines, inparticular circular knitting machines which results in a more eflicientand less time-consuming cleaning operation, thus providing also for lessmachine down-time and hence increased production, less contamination ofthe knit-goods, and generally more favorable and healthy workingconditions for the operators in the plant.

Now, in order to implement these and still further objects of thepresent invention, which will become more readily apparent as thedescription proceeds, the inventive apparatus for pneumatically cleaningcentrosymmetrical textile machines, especially circular knittingmachines, incorporates a substantially ring-shaped or annular blowerchannel arranged externally of the needle cylinder. This annular 'blowerchannel is equipped with inwardly directed nozzle means. Further, thehousing surrounding the needle zone is provided with a likewise annularor ring-shaped suction channel which communicates with a suction sourceand possesses suction openings which are directed towards the workingzone or area.

Owing to these features directed air currents appear between the blowernozzles and the suction openings which contact or wipe the worklocations and which entrain the dust which has been loosened from thework locations and withdraw such before this dust can again deposit uponneighboring machine components.

The suction openings preferably form one or a number of annular nozzleswhich render it possible to produce a uniform air flow or current ofrelatively high velocity throughout the entire peripheral region of theworking zone or area. The blower channel and the suction channel and inparticular the nozzles thereof are advantageously arranged as close toone another as the components of the circular knitting machine allow, sothat short air paths are provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be betterunderstood, and objects other than those set forth above, will becomeapparent, when consideration is given to the following detaileddescription thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexeddrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred form of apparatus forcleaning the needle zone of a circular knitting machine;

FIG. 2 is an axial sectional view through the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a modified form of apparatus, illustrating an axial sectionalview similar to the apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an axial sectional view of a third embodiment of inventivecleaning apparatus; and

FIG. 5 is a radial sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2,taken along the line VV thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Describing now the drawings,and in particular, initially referring to FIG. 1, it should beunderstood that reference numeral 11 designates the partiallyillustrated frame of a circular knitting machine for instance. Thisframe 11 incorporates a crossbeam 12, support rods or columns 13, dialsupport means 14 and a machine table or bed 15. A feedwheel unit 17provided with gears 18 is located beneath the crossbeam 12. Referencenumeral 20 generally designates the apparatus for pneumatically cleaningthe needle zone.

With the foregoing general arrangement in mind, and turning attentionnow to FIG. 2, there will be recognized a needle cylinder which issurrounded by cylinder cam means 26. A cylinder cam eccentric means 27is arranged between the needle cylinder 25 and the cylinder cam means26. The needle presser jacks 28 and the needle sinker adjustment 29 aresecured to the cylinder cam means 2'6. Above the needle cylinder 25there are disposed the dial cam 30 with a dial or dial plate 31 and adial plate eccentric means 32. The dial cam 30 is supported at a dialcam support member 37. The dial or dial plate 31 and the needle cylinder25 carry dial needles 33 and cylinder needles 34, respectively.Additionally, yarn guide means 35 possessing eyelets 36 are secured tothe dial cam 30. A dial drive shaft 38 is arranged at the center of thecircular knitting machine.

Continuing, it will be seen that the space between the machine bed 15and the dial support means 14 is enclosed by a housing 40 which isassociated with the inventive cleaning apparatus 20. This housing 40 ispreferably formed of a suitable transparent material. Furthermore, thesubstantially cylindrical housing 40 is covered at its front end bymeans of a cover member 41 directly beneath the dial support means 14.This cover member 41 is secured to the dial support means 14 and, asshown, extends up to the location of the housing of the dial drive shaft38.

As best recognized by inspecting FIG. 1, the cover member 41 is providedwith radially extending slits 42 at all those locations where a yarn 39is guided from a suitable non-illustrated yarn guide roll to theassociated yarn guide means 35. These radially extending slits or slots42 serve to permit the yarn 39 to enter into the housing 40.Additionally, it should be observed that the cylindrical jacket or outersurface 43 of the housing 40 extends between the outer edge of the dialsupport means 14 and the machine bed or table 15. This cylindricaljacket 43 is supported upon the aforementioned machine bed 15.

A respective radial flange 45 and 46 extends from the jacket or outerportion 43 of the housing 40 inwardly towards the region of the cylindercam means 26. More precisely, it will be seen that the radial flange 45is located somewhat above the upper end of the yarn guide means 35whereas the other radial flange 46 is disposed somewhat beneath theneedle sinker adjustment 29. These flanges 45 and 46 are interconnectedby a vertical cylinder wall 47 which is provided with openings 48 and49, the purpose of which will be explained more fully hereinafter. Thecompartment which is bounded by the flanges 45 and 46, as well as thejacket portion 43 and the cylinder wall 47, defines an annular blowerchannel 50 which is located substantially coaxially with respect to thehousing 40. Furthermore, this annular blower channel 50 is subdivided inits peripheral direction into two halves or chambers 50a and 50b by thepartition wall 58, as best recognized by inspecting FIG. 5. Each ofthese chambers 50a and 50b is operably connected via the connectionmeans 54 or equivalent structure and the tubing 55 with anon-illustrated source of compressed air.

Furthermore, a substantially annular, or ring-shaped suction channel 53is disposed beneath the annular blower channel 50. This suction channel52 is likewise coaxially arranged with respect to the housing 40.Suction channel 52 is bounded by a portion of the cylindrical jacket 43,the flange member 46, the cylinder cam means 26 and the machine bed 15,as readily apparent by referring to FIG. 2. The annular suction channel52 communicates with the annular work compartment 51 which is disposedradially inwardly of the cylinder wall 47 via a substantially annular orring-shaped gap 53. This annular gap 53 is formed between the upper endof the cylinder cam means 26 and the oppositely situated flange member46. This ring-shaped suction channel 52 operably communicates with anon-illustrated suitable negative pressure source through the agency ofthe connection means 56 and a pipe or conduit 57. As will be understoodby referring to FIG. 4, the housing 40 is divided into four segments,such as the segments 40a, 40b, 400, etc. of which only segments 40a, 40band 400 are visible in FIG. 5. These four segments, 40a, 40b, 400, etc.each extend for approximately peripherally of the housing 40, wherebyone of the parting planes extends between the partition wall means 58shown in FIG. 5. The partition wall means 58 are open at the region ofthe annular suction channel 52. Furthermore, as will be seen byreferring to FIG. 1, the aforementioned segments 40a, 40b, 400, etc. aredetachably connected to one another by suitable brackets or fasteningelements 44. The attachment of these segments with one another can beundertaken such that they can be removed individually or in groups, andit is preferable to pivotably attach the segments with one another sothat they can be individually pivoted.

Considering now the openings or apertures 48 and 49 which are providedat the cylinder wall 47, such are advantageously in the form of verticalslots (FIGS. 2 and 5) which are arranged in two superimposed rows at theregion of the locations which are to be cleaned, such as the needlepresser jacks 28, the needle sinker adjustment 29, the yarn guide means35 and the needles 33, 34. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodimenteach three openings 48 or 49 collectively form a group. As shown in FIG.5, each group of openings, such as the openings 48 or 49, is spaced inthe peripheral direction from the neighboring group, and specifically insuch a manner that the gap or space between the groups always isdisposed at the region of the lower associated yarn guide eyelet 36 ofthe machine.

During operation of the inventive cleaning apparatus, compressed air ata relatively low pressure, but in relatively large quantity, emanatesfrom the substantially annular blower channel 50 through the openings 48and 49. This compressed air serves to keep the needles 33, 34, the yarnguide means 35 and its eyelets 36 as well as the needle presser jacks 28and the needle sinker adjustment means 29 free of fly, dust and othercontaminants. Owing to the negative pressure which prevails in theannular suction channel 52, the air which is blown into the annular workcompartment 51 is sucked through the annular gap 53 at a great velocity,so that any foreign material or contaminants which are contained in theair do not have the possibility of settling. These contaminants areconducted together with the air through the suction pipe 57 to asuitable non-illustrated filter where they are separated. The cleanedair is then again conducted directly back, or, if desired, via an airconditioning installation, into the machine compartment.

The previously considered cover member 41 serves to shield the workcompartment 51 against fiber tufts which drop from the feedwheel unit orfurnishing wheel 17. Owing to the arrangement of the openings 48 ingroups of 3 slits there is always obtained a directed air currentbetween the yarn guide means 35 and the cylinder needles 34. Thisdirected air stream causes intensive cleaning of the cylinder needles 34and the portion of the yarn guide means 35 which confronts the needles.Furthermore, this directed air stream or current is superimposed uponthe air current brought about by the revolving dial 31, and thus anintensive cleaning operation is provided. Additionally, such a directedair current can be also achieved by using non-illustrated guide deviceswhich introduce the air tangentially into the annular work compartment51.

When considering the remaining embodiments of the inventive cleaningapparatus, reference will not be made to the specific components of thecircular knitting machine which are generally known to the art and whichhave been previously considered. Attention will be primarily drawn tothe manner in which these variant forms of inventive cleaning apparatusdiffer from the construction previously considered. Thus, with regard tothe embodiment of cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 3, it should beunderstood that such differs from the embodiment according to FIG. 2,primarily in that a further substantially annular or ring-shaped channel60 is provided radially inwardly of the dial cam 30 and above thesupport member 37. This further annular channel 60 is connected via aconduit 61 or equivalent structure to a nonillustrated suitable sourceof negative pressure. This annular suction channel 60 is provided withan annular gap 62 which is directed towards the work compartment 51 andserves to withdraw a portion of the air emanating from the blowerchannel 50. Consequently, there is provided an additional air currentwhich wipes across the upper surface of the dial cam 30 and the dial camsupport 37, and which makes it virtually impossible for fiber, dust andother contaminants to deposit upon these components.

With respect to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, such differs primarilyfrom the construction described in connection with FIG. 3, in that inthis case there is not provided a suction channel beneath the blowerchannel 50, and further the suction channel 60 disposed above the dialcam support 37 is increased in size. This enlarged suction channel 60 isseparated by a conical wall surface 63 from the work compartment 51.Further, the wall surface 63 is advantageously provided with suctionopenings 64 which are distributed about the circumference or peripherythereof. Once again, directed air currents appear between the bloweropenings 48, 49 and the suction openings 64. These directed air currentsserve to remove the contaminants which have been separated from theincoming yarn and prevent any depositing of such contaminants in theworking compartment 51.

In the event that the circular knitting machine is provided with acircular blower unit, such as for instance described in the commonlyassigned, co-pending U.S. application, Ser. No. 658,911 of Hans Ferri,filed Aug. 7, 1967, then the blower air for supplying the blower channel50 can be removed from such blower unit which is capable of deliveringcleaned blower air.

It is advantageous if a slight overpressure is provided in the workcompartment 51 in order to prevent the suc tion of impurities orcontaminants into the housing 40 via the slits 42 from the room wherethe machines are housed.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of theinvention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is notlimited thereto, but may be otherwise variously embodied and practicedwithin the scope of the following claims. Accordingly, what is claimedis:

1. An apparatus for the pneumatic cleaning of the working zone ofcentrosymmetrical textile machines, especially the needle zone ofcircular knitting machines having a needle cylinder, comprising:

(a) housing means surrounding the needle zone, said housing meansenclosing an internal compartment;

(b) means providing a substantially annular suction channel means insaid internal compartment of said housing means;

(0) a source of negative pressure communicating with said annularsuction channel means;

(d) said substantially annular suction channel means being provided withsuction opening means directed towards the working zone;

(e) means providing a substantially annular blower channel means in saidinternal compartment of said housing means, said annular blower channelmeans being located externally of the needle cylinder;

(f) a source of compressed air communicating with such substantiallyannular blower channel means;

(g) said substantially annular blower channel means being provided withinwardly directed blower nozzle means directed towards the machinecomponents located in the working zone and said blower nozzle meansbeing arranged in a number of superimposed and horizontally extendingrows.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said suction channelmeans is disposed beneath said blower channel means, said suctionopening means being in the form of an annular gap which communicatessaid suction channel means with the working zone of the textile machine.

3. An apparatus for the pneumatic cleaning of the working zone ofcentrosymmetrical textile machines, especially the needle zone ofcircular knitting machines having a needle cylinder, comprising: housingmeans surrounding the needle zone, said housing means enclosing aninternal compartment; means providing a substantially annular suctionchannel means in said internal compartment of said housing means; asource of negative pressure communicating with said annular suctionchannel means; said substantially annular suction channel means beingprovided with suction opening means directed towards the working zone;means providing a substantially annular blower channel means in saidinternal compartment of said housing means, said annular blower channelmeans being located externally of the needle cylinder; said suctionchannel meansbeing located above said blower channel means and radiallyinwardly of said blower channel means; a source of compressed aircommunicating with such substantially annular blower channel means; andsaid substantially annular blower channel means being provided withinwardly directed blower nozzle means directed towards the machinecomponents located in the working zone.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, further including cylinder cammeans, said housing means including an inwardly directed radial flangemember, said annular gap being formed by said inwardly directed radialflange memher and said cylinder cam means.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said blower nozzle meanslocated in the horizontal rows are arranged in predetermined groups.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said housing means isformed of a number of detachable segments.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 and further including means forfastening said segments together and said fastening means beingconstructed and arranged to permit individual removal of said segments.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 and further including means forfastening said segments together and said fastening means beingconstructed and arranged to permit group removal of said segments.

9. An apparatus for pneumatically cleaning of circular type textilemachines in their working zone, particularly circular knitting machinesin their needle zone, comprising a first annular channel encircling saidmachine exteriorly of said working zone thereof, a pressure air source,means connecting said pressure air source to said first annular channelin at least one circumferential location of the latter for feedingcompressed air from said pressure air source to said first annularchannel and circumferentially evenly distributing said compressed airtherein, said first annular channel having substantially inwardlyoriented nozzle means adapted to direct a flow of air from said firstannular channel toward said working zone and to entrain lint and dustaccumulated in said working zone, said blower nozzle means beingarranged in a number of superimposed and horizontally extending rows, asecond annular channel adjacent said working zone, suction meanscommunicating with said second annular channel to suck air from thelatter, and air inlet means for said second annular channel facing saidworking zone, to withdraw into said second annular channel aircontaminated with lint and dust from said working zone, to thereby cleanthe latter.

10. An apparatus for the pneumatic cleaning of the working zone ofcentrosymmetrical textile machines, especially the needle zone ofcircular knitting machines having a needle cylinder, comprising: housingmeans formed of a number of detachable segments surrounding the needlezone, said housing means enclosing an internal compartment; meansproviding a substantially annular suction channel means in said internalcompartment of said housing means; a source of negative pressurecommunicating with said annular suction channel means; saidsubstantially annular suction channel means being provided with suctionopening means directed towards the working zone; means providing asubstantially annular blower channel means in said internal compartmentof said housing means, said annular blower channel means being locatedexternally of the needle cylinder; at source of compressed aircommunicating with such substantially annular blower channel means; saidsubstantially annular blower channel means being provided with inwardlydirected blower nozzle means directed towards the machine componentslocated in the working zone, and further including dial support means,said housing means including a cover member at its upper end which issecured to said dial support means independent of the outer jacket ofsaid housing means.

11. An apparatus for the pneumatic cleaning of the working zone ofcentrosymmetrical textile machines, especially the needle zone ofcircular knitting machines having a needle cylinder, comprising: housingmeans surrounding the needle zone, said housing means enclosing aninternal compartment; means providing a substantially annular suctionchannel means in said internal compartment of said housing means; asource of negative pressure communicating with said annular suctionchannel means; said substantially annular suction channel means beingprovided with suction opening means directed towards the working zone;means providing a substantially annular blower channel means in saidinternal compartment of said housing means, said annular blower channelmeans being located externally of the needle cylinder; means defining anadditional suction channel means spaced radially inwardly of said blowerchannel means; a source of compressed air communicating with suchsubstantially annular blower channel means; and said substantiallyannular blower channel means being provided with inwardly directedblower nozzle means directed towards the machine components located inthe working zone.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,378,998 4/1968 Shackelford66l68 XR 3,274,803 9/1966 Schmidt 66l68 3,220,223 11/1965 Schmidt.

RONALD FELDBAUM, Primary Examiner

